Senior Assistant General Counsel, State Lit

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The CPS Law Department provides a full array of legal services to the Chicago Board of Education and the various departments and divisions of Chicago Public Schools.  The Labor and Employee Discipline Unit (“L&ED”) handles traditional labor law matters and appeals involving unfair labor practice charges and arbitration demands filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Unit prosecutes employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel, Senior Assistant General Counsel will represent CPS and its agents in state court and various administrative forums. This position will assist in the supervision of the State Court Litigation team, and will have the opportunity to provide meaningful counsel to CPS leadership, informing policy decisions and resource allocation. Matters include personal injury cases ranging from slip and falls to sexual assaults and death cases, construction cases, whistleblower claims, limited employment matters and breach of contract claims. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Senior Assistant General Counsel will be accountable for the following responsibilities: 

• Managing an active litigation caseload and exercising independent judgment on complex issues related to personal injury, torts, affirmative litigation, property tax appeals, administrative hearings, debarments and other substantive litigation areas as needed;

• Provide supervision and guidance to assistant general counsels and staff;

• Provide client counseling, advice, guidance and support across a network of schools and departments.

• Working cooperatively with supervisors, attorneys and staff within the Law Department;

• Developing and maintaining professional, client-centered and productive relationships with diverse group of CPS departments, schools and agents; and  

• Demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. 

Required Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.

Required Experience: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of legal practice, including direct experience counseling clients, is required.

• Administrative hearing or litigation experience, and experience managing attorneys and support staff is preferred. 

• Additionally, experience in one of more of the following areas is preferred: jury and bench trials; personal injury litigation; business-related torts; the Tort Immunity Act; Motion Section of the Cook County Law Division; commercial litigation including breach of contract actions and real estate - construction and/or mechanics liens; affirmative litigation and collections; representing governmental or education agency. 

• Experience managing or supervising employees is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong communication skills: speaking, listening, and writing

• Ability to be a problem solver and independent worker

• Effectively litigate cases before arbitrators, hearing officers, administrative agencies, and courts

• Skills and abilities in management and leadership

• Knowledge of best practices in employment and labor law, and federal and state-related law areas

• Ability to build trusting relationships with, effectively advise, and work cohesively with Officers, Senior Leaders, Department Managers, and school-based staff on a variety of high-profile issues and cases

• Highly organized with excellent time management and organizational skills 

• Proficiency with Google Suite (docs, sheets, slides) and Microsoft Office

   

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. 

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves